Dog Honoring Ceremony at Harvest Fest

Your dog has probably been through a lot with you this year. Take some time out of your day to give thanks and honor your pooch with garlands and colors, inspired by the customs of the annual Nepalese dog blessing festival Tihar!

On October 28, bring your dog to the Rubin Museum of Art’s booth at Harvest Fest, an outdoor artisanal market and seasonal festival produced by the Meatpacking Business Improvement District. You’ll get a chance to honor your dog according to a Nepalese tradition and take home a certificate from the Rubin as a keepsake.

Please note:

The event will take place off-site at Hudson River Park’s 14th Street Park (Tenth Ave between 14th and 15th Streets).

About Kukur Tihar Dog Honoring Ceremony

Originating in Nepal, Tihar is a five-day festival of light that takes place in October. Each day of Tihar is devoted to honoring a different entity or concept: crows, dogs, cows, oxen, and fraternal relationships. Kukur Tihar, the second day of the festival, celebrates the real and mythological relationships between humans and dogs. Dog owners thank their dogs as guardians of their home with flower garlands, vermillion paste, and tasty treats.

Honoring Your Dog at Harvest Fest

Trinlay Wangmo, A member of ACHA Himalayan Sisterhood and a proud dog owner, will guide dog owners in placing garlands on their dogs’ necks and vermillion dots made from red dye on their dogs’ foreheads. Trinlay and the dog owners will then collectively thank the dogs. Afterward, each dog owner will receive a certificate from the Rubin Museum as a keepsake.